The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Physical activities and healthy eating are being promoted more and more as the health risks climb, which is why Manitoba in motion has designed a program for workers. Workplaces in motion was launched recently by Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson. The new program is designed to Òencourage employees and employers to build physical activity into their daily lives at work,Ó stated a media release from the Province of Manitoba. ÒWith the majority of Canadian adults spending half (of) their waking hours at or commuting to work, it only makes sense to support healthy living options in the workplace,Ó stated Irvin-Ross. ÒWellness programs in the workplace not only help employees improve their personal health and fitness, but can also reduce stress, cut down on sick days and help improve productivity.Ó And the Primary Health Care Centre is just one organization in town that has encouraged the inactive to participate in the program. Although when Community Health Director Fran Labarre decided to get her workplace healthy, she hadnÕt yet heard of the new program. ÒIt was all my creation. I was walking my dogs one day and I wanted to get something going in the office,Ó says the in motion committee member. ÒPart of my job is getting people healthy in the community, so I thought, why not start at work.Ó And so it began. Labarre created a challenge that revolves around hockey. ÒThe LetÕs Get Healthy challenge consists of six teams of four (who) are competing for the coveted health challenge trophy,Ó she said in a article for the NOR-MAN Regional Health AuthorityÕs internal magazine, The Pulse. According to the article, each person signed up to play for 13 weeks, the same as a hockey season. The first week of the challenge was based on an exhibition game as competitors were just getting going, to try and get fit. Before the games got going, each person was weighed and had their blood pressure checked, which Labarre says, ended up being a fun time. See 'Working' on pg. Continued from pg. ÒEveryone is in this together. ItÕs not a lone goal,Ó she says, adding that Òwhen you are working together, it makes it more fun.Ó And as adding fun into your daily activities is important, the employees at the Primary Health Care Centre spend their coffee breaks, which have actually been turned into water and fruit breaks, playing the Nintendo Wii. ÒWe go in and box or team up and play golf. ItÕs just more fun to get fit on your break with work. And itÕs all about doing things as a group,Ó she says. But donÕt get the wrong idea; this challenge is anything by friendly. ÒWeÕre gathering people to go to walk at the Whitney Forum, but just from my team,Ó says Labarre with a laugh. ÒWe donÕt want others to win.Ó Each person in the challenge gets themselves a point when they follow the eight rules of the game, which are as follows: Eat healthy, according to CanadaÕs Food Guide Eat breakfast Eat fish three times a week Eat vegetables and fruits seven times a day Limit or restrict junk food Drink six to eight cups of water a day Sleep seven to eight hours a night Do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day For each rule they follow, team members are given a point. So the competition heats up as the teams are competing throughout the weeks. ÒWhen you are feeling weak at home, you canÕt let your team down,Ó she says. ÒEveryone is working really hard and you want to win.Ó And although in the end it will only be one team who comes in first place, Labarre says Òthere will be 24 winners.Ó Canadian statistics, according to Labarre, arenÕt good when it comes to people and their health. ÒThere is lots of absenteeism from the workplace with stress and people not feeling well,Ó she says. ÒBut if you get the motion going it becomes part of our lives and it just becomes natural.Ó Labarre says right now, itÕs all about prevention. ÒItÕs about preventing chronic disease. Eating healthy, 30 minutes of activity and to stop smoking are the three top ways to be healthy and to prevent chronic disease.Ó While the Primary Health Care Centre is on the go with the program, Labarre says she would like to challenge other workplaces to do the same. ÒWe want to have other workplaces in motion,Ó she says, adding that she wants to see who is the healthiest. As for completing the LetÕs Get Healthy challenge, Labarre says everyone has their problems they have to work on, but the key is knowing you are not alone in this. ÒThe support and encouragement in the office makes it so you know you are not out there alone.Ó For other offices who are interested in the Workplaces in motion program, visit their website at www.manitobainmotion.ca.
